ROPME Agreement
Background
The Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) and CMS, through the CMS Office – Abu Dhabi, are jointly implementing the project “Strengthening Conservation of Marine Migratory Species and Their Habitats in the ROPME Sea Area” under the CMS Migratory Species Champion Programme.
The initiative responds to the growing need for coordinated, science-based conservation and sustainable management of marine migratory species and their critical habitats across the ROPME Sea Area (RSA), comprising Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The RSA supports globally significant populations of dugongs, marine turtles, sharks and rays, including an estimated population of approximately 5,000 dugongs in the Gulf. At the same time, the region is subject to cumulative environmental pressures arising from rapid coastal development, fisheries interactions, maritime traffic, pollution and climate change. These pressures contribute to habitat degradation, bycatch, fragmentation of critical habitats and increasing ecosystem vulnerability. Despite ongoing national conservation efforts within the region, implementation approaches remain uneven and fragmented. Information on species distribution, population trends, threats and management measures is dispersed across national reports, scientific studies and global assessments, limiting regional comparability and evidence-based decision-making. Significant data gaps persist, particularly in relation to sharks and rays, offshore habitats and transboundary ecological connectivity.
The project addresses these challenges through a coordinated regional framework aimed at strengthening cooperation, improving the regional knowledge base and supporting implementation of conservation priorities under CMS and its associated instruments.
Areas of Intervention
The overall objective of the project is to strengthen coordinated, science-based conservation and sustainable management of marine migratory species and their critical habitats in the ROPME Sea Area through the following areas of intervention:
Developing a Regional Baseline Assessment
The initiative will consolidate and analyse available regional information on species status, distribution, threats, management measures and conservation priorities. The assessment will support the development of harmonized regional datasets and strengthen the scientific basis for future conservation planning, implementation and reporting.
Enhancing Regional Cooperation and Coordination
The project will strengthen collaboration among ROPME Member States through regional consultations, technical exchanges and coordination mechanisms implemented under the CMS framework and associated Memoranda of Understanding on Dugongs, IOSEA Marine Turtles and Sharks.
Supporting National Implementation
Targeted pilot activities and technical assistance will support national authorities in implementing priority conservation actions identified through regional consultations. These may include habitat conservation, bycatch mitigation, species and habitat monitoring, and policy development.
Strengthening Capacity Development and Stakeholder Engagement
The initiative will strengthen institutional and technical capacities related to monitoring, data management, enforcement and community participation. Activities will include technical training, knowledge exchange and support for stakeholder engagement at the national and regional levels.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The project is jointly implemented by the CMS Secretariat, through the CMS Office – Abu Dhabi, and ROPME, in collaboration with the national environment and fisheries authorities of ROPME Member States.
Technical input and advisory support will be provided through relevant CMS advisory bodies established under the CMS Memoranda of Understanding on Dugongs, IOSEA Marine Turtles and Sharks. The initiative will also promote collaboration with international and regional partners, including UNEP, UNEP-WCMC, FAO, and regional scientific and research institutions.
The initiative contributes directly to implementation of the CMS Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2024 - 2032, the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and relevant Sustainable Development Goals related to marine biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience.
CMS Migratory Species Champion Programme
The project is implemented under the CMS Migratory Species Champion Programme, which recognizes governments, organizations and institutions demonstrating significant commitment to the conservation of migratory species and their habitats.
At the CMS COP15 in Campo Grande, Brazil, ROPME was recognized as a Champion Plus for its support for “Strengthening Conservation of Marine Migratory Species and their Habitats in the ROPME Sea Area” for 2026-2028.
Through participation in the Programme, partners will contribute to strengthening regional cooperation, facilitating scientific knowledge exchange and advancing the implementation of international commitments for the conservation of migratory species and their habitats.